Changes in life-style characteristics, health, and mood of freshman medical students

A comprehensive questionnaire on life-style was completed by 104 of 184 freshman medical students at orientation and again seven months later. Life-style changes during this period were related to physical-psychological health and affect-mood changes. There was a decrease in the following characteristics: physical activity, salt and bread consumption, sleep and interrupted sleep, general health, leisure, and recreational activities. During the studied time period, few students maintained a balanced diet. There was an increase in perceived stress as the school year progressed and a tendency to improve coping effectiveness. This increase in coping effectiveness was associated with improved health and mood. Enjoying medical school more, feeling more competent as a medical student, and questioning the desire to enter medical school less were also related to improved health and mood.